If you do, than I don't have to introduce you to Reginald and Beartato. If you have no idea who I am talking about, I suggest you go check them out. They are best friends who were introduced to me by a couple of great friends. Both pairs never fail to make me smile. About two days after I swore off knitting any more secret gifts, a new comic popped up and I realized Beartato is just ball and I could easily make him. Reginald I was a little intimidated by, until I noticed how much he was shaped like Sophie. I was instantly obsessed with making these for my friends, but they are avid twitter users and far more aware of what is on the Internet than I am. If I wanted ti to be a surprise, I had to go back to knitting in secret. Now the secret is out, so I can tell you all about my favorite toys.
Pattern: Sophie by YsoldaTeague
Yarn: Knit Picks Shine Sport in Hydrangea
Needles: US 3 (3.25 mm)
Notes: I made Reginald first because I knew it would be easier to scale Beartato to fit him. I started with Sophie's head an body then I tried to make his arms a bit more wing-like. I made them flat and had them taper out and come to a point at the end rather than the rounded end in the pattern. The legs I made much smaller and gave him some little make shift feet just to close them off. The beak was the hardest. I had to redo it about three times because I couldn't get the size quite right. I picked up stitches on the face similar to the other pick ups in the pattern, but this was in a triangle with seven stitches on the bottom and five on each side. Then I just decreased every other row until it came to a point. The bottom of the beak was the same except with five stitches on top and three on each side.
I debated for a long time about the eyes. They seemed too big to just embroider or duplicate stitch on. Then I remembered the giraffe from Itty-Bitty Toys. I made two giraffe spots in black and they were the perfect size. Though I must admit, in the comic, you never get to see Reginald straight on. Now that I've made a 3-dimensional version I can see why. When you've got both of Reginald's eyes on you, he is a terrifying bug like creature. I decided to take all of my pictures in profile to be true to his light-hearted nature.
Pattern: Oh Balls! by Marcie Nishioka
Needles: US 3 (3.25 mm)
Yarn: Knit Picks Stroll in Cocoa held double
Notes: Beartato was much simpler. I did expect him to turn out a little longer in the body than he did, but I still think he looks great. I increased in the Oh Balls! way until I felt it was about right then a did a couple straight rounds. I did the white for the teeth with short rows, did a few more straight round and then decreased until he was done. His ears are similar to the ones I made for the dragon scarf and everything else was embroidered and duplicate stitched on. His arms and legs are just two pieces of string drawn through his body and knotted on the ends. They are 'floating' in there so if he has to do any super high fives, he's got the stretch.
I loved making both of these guys. I may have a bit of design in me after all, but for now I'm happy just working on all the incredible patterns that other people have already written up.
Here's to friends!
